Rafael Nadal battled past a resilient Simone Bolelli 6-4 6-3 7-6(9) in a two day contest as the world number one continued his Roland Garros dominance.
The top seed had to finish his match on Tuesday after the rain disrupted play when he lead his Italian opponent 6-4 6-3 0-3. The first set yesterday was a close battle as Bolelli opened up proceedings by hitting the ball with brutal pace off both wings. Eventually the Spaniard found his top gear and some fierce returns forced errors from Bolelli as the 10 time champion broke in the tenth game to seal the opening set in 45 minutes.
Despite losing the first set, the Italian kept up his unbelievable intensity and hitting as he stormed into a 3-1 lead as Nadal was left helpless. However Bolelli was left distracted by the incoming Monday rain as Nadal increased his level of intensity. The world number one notched up an incredible five games in a row to take a commanding two sets to love lead heading into the second day as the rain poured down at 3-0 to the Italian in the third set.
The defending champion resumed play on Tuesday afternoon with authority as he pulled back the three game deficit to level up at 3-3. There were plenty of break points for the Italian as he continued to hit 80MPH forehands and one handed backhands that were tactically successful against the legendary Spaniard. However the Italian was to be denied despite his ridiculous hitting, Nadal saved four set points and sealed the match in an epic tiebreak to extend his Roland Garros dominance.
After the match, Nadal acknowledged the difficult match, “It was a good match. It was a difficult match, because he played so aggressive and very well, I think. I resisted, you know, always difficult to play against players that wants to hit every ball so hard, and even more if it’s the first round. He played well, I think, so well, playing with lot of risk but having success with all of the risk that he take. And, yeah, I played a match that I have to play more aggressive, I know. But it was difficult today to play so aggressive being in the first round and against a player who really came on court and decided to play that strong.”
The ten time champion will be relieved to get through in straight sets and is through to the second round where he will play Guido Pella, who overcame Joao Sousa in his first round match.
